Buzz
My affection for salt is no secret—anyone who has read my food lists would know this. It's only fitting that I present a list of fascinating facts about salt, a subject that equally excites me. I've tried to focus on the less commonly known facts, though some may be more familiar. Feel free to contribute any extra salt facts in the comments below.
1 Facts 1 – 5
1. Until the 20th century, salt was used as a form of currency in Abyssinia (now Ethiopia), with blocks of salt known as amoleh serving as the primary means of exchange.
2. The stunning Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, the largest salt flat in the world at 4,000 square miles, transforms into a reflective mirror when a thin layer of water covers it. This mirror-like surface is not just beautiful but also crucial for calibrating scientific instruments, including those used in outer space. Additionally, this vast salt flat holds half of the world’s lithium supply. The image above shows the breathtaking site.
3. Salt is so vital to our bodies that drinking too much water can dilute it, potentially leading to a life-threatening condition called Hyponatremia. Tragically, this is what caused the death of Jennifer Strange, who participated in a “Hold your wee for a wii” competition.
4. Excessive salt consumption can be fatal. The lethal dose is about 1 gram of salt per kilogram of body weight. In ancient China, this was even used as a method of ritual suicide, particularly among the nobility, where salt was highly prized and expensive.
5. High-quality sea salt is rich in essential minerals that our bodies need. The finest sea salt should still feel slightly moist from the ocean from which it was harvested.
2 Facts 6 – 10
6. During the Middle Ages, salt was considered so valuable that it earned the nickname “white gold.” A historical salt route, still visible today in Germany, once connected the inland city of Lüneburg to the Baltic coast, showcasing the importance of salt in transportation and trade.
7. Black Salt, traditionally made in India, is produced by mixing salt water with harad seeds. After evaporation, black lumps of salt are formed, and when ground, the resulting powder takes on a pinkish hue, as shown in the image above.
8. In Guerande, France, salt is still harvested in the same way as it was by the ancient Celts, using baskets to strain sea water. This traditional method results in a highly prized and expensive product, particularly the delicate Fleur de Sel (flower of salt), which is sprinkled on food just before serving—never used in cooking.
9. A common misconception is that Roman soldiers were paid in salt (which is why we have the word 'salary'), but in reality, they were paid in regular money. The link to salt likely stems from their role in guarding the salt routes to Rome (Via Salarium). Roman soldiers were private workers, not state employees.
10. Before the decline of Biblical Judaism, salt was incorporated into animal sacrifices. This practice dates back to Moses as described in Leviticus 2:13, which says: “Whatsoever sacrifice thou offerest, thou shalt season it with salt, neither shalt thou take away the salt of the covenant of thy God from thy sacrifice. In all thy oblations thou shalt offer salt.” The inclusion of salt symbolized wisdom and discretion.
3 Facts 11 – 15
11. After aviation fuel undergoes purification, salt is added to remove any remaining traces of water before it is ready for use.
12. Sodium Chloride (salt – shown above) is created when the unstable metal sodium reacts with chlorine gas. It is the only type of rock that is regularly consumed by humans.
13. In the early 1800s, salt was valued at four times the price of beef on the frontier – it was vital for the survival of both people and livestock.
14. In the U.S., only 6% of salt is used in food, while another 17% is employed for de-icing roads and highways during the winter months.
15. During the late 17th century, salt was the most significant cargo transported from the Caribbean to North America, by tonnage. Salt Cod was the primary cargo carried in the opposite direction, from North America to the Caribbean, where it was used to feed slaves on sugar plantations.
